The Senate Will Reject the Green New Deal. But It’s Already Changing the Debate on Climate Change

The Green New Deal will go down to defeat in a Senate vote Tuesday afternoon. But the push for the Congressional resolution has already changed the conversation on climate change in Washington and forced a discussion on the issue.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell scheduled the vote in a classic bit of Washington jiujitsu, forcing Democrats to vote on a resolution endorsing a massive public works program that rankles moderates.

In response, most if not all Democrats decided as a group to vote “present” on the resolution, essentially ducking the issue.

But the show vote aside, there are signs that the Green New Deal has helped forced a discussion on climate change on Capitol Hill, even among Republicans, who have been a major obstacle to legislation in recent years.